Synchronous E-Learning, Digital Literacy, and Writing Strategies: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis of Grammatical Competence

This research investigated the relationship between students’ synchronous e-learning, digital literacy, and writing strategies and their grammatical competence, focusing on 400 Filipino major students enrolled in public and private colleges and universities within the Davao Region. A quantitative, causal-comparative, and correlational research design was employed, utilizing stratified random sampling. Statistical tools, including the mean, standard deviation, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple linear regression, were used to analyze the data. Furthermore, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to enhance the study’s credibility and rigor through model specification, estimation, and evaluation. Results revealed that students exhibited a high level of synchronous e-learning, digital literacy, and writing strategies, while their grammatical competence was at a moderate level. A significant relationship was found between digital literacy and grammatical competence, whereas no significant relationship was observed between synchronous e-learning and writing strategies with grammatical competence. However, a combined influence of all three variables—synchronous e-learning, digital literacy, and writing strategies—on grammatical competence was observed, although no singular variable had a strong individual influence. The best-fit model, structural model 3, indicates that grammatical competence is strongly influenced collectively by synchronous e-learning, digital literacy, and writing strategies. The study emphasizes the need to enhance language education by strengthening the grammatical competence of Filipino major students through effective strategies and supportive environments. It recommends exploring grammar instruction across various educational levels and examining the impact of digital and social media on language learning. The study also emphasizes the importance of utilizing practical, localized teaching materials to enhance grammar mastery and overall language proficiency.